Emre Can: I know all about Liverpool v Man United - now let's go get top four

And the young German is loving playing in his preferred position under Jurgen Klopp

Emre Can of Liverpool competes with Matteo Darmain Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool on September 12, 2015 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Emre Can says Liverpool supporters have left him in no doubt about the importance of Sunday’s Premier League showdown with Manchester United at Anfield.

The Reds desperately need maximum points in order to boost their top-four hopes and the German midfielder, who has lost his two previous meetings with United, wants to play a starring role for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

“I know about the rivalry. I know the score,” Can said.

“When I’m out and about in the city, fans come up to me, and they tell me about the rivalry. They say that in Manchester it’s not good to talk about Liverpool and in Liverpool it’s not good to talk about Manchester United.

“Everyone in the world knows about this big game, Liverpool against Manchester United, and the rivalry that is there. In Germany, it’s like Schalke against Borussia Dortmund.

“Everyone knows that Liverpool against Manchester United is a clasico. When I was in Germany, if I got the chance to watch this game, I always would.

“I like the people in Liverpool. They come up and talk to me when I’m out and about in town,

“I like the way they treat me. They are very warm-hearted and open. They often come up and slap me on the shoulder.

“We will give our best. Liverpool are a top club and we should be in the top four and that’s definitely our target.”

In an interview with The Times, Can admitted he’s loving life under Klopp at Anfield. Brendan Rodgers rarely played him in his favoured midfield position during a turbulent first season with the Reds following a £10million move from Bayer Leverkusen - but Klopp has shown much greater faith in his qualities.

“I feel at home in midfield,” he added.

“That’s my main position. One of my strengths is being able to get the ball, drive forward and take hold of the game. That’s what I enjoy doing.

“Everyone knows Mr Klopp is very, very emotional. It’s simple: he lives for football. He loves football; he should never change. That’s the way he is. Being that passionate about football is the best way.”

Can also dismissed suggestions that Liverpool’s current injury crisis is a result of Klopp’s training methods.

“I’ve read in the papers that a lot of injuries have been caused by us ‘training too hard’. That’s nonsense,” Can insisted.

“We’re not training between games in this busy period. A lot of the time we are regenerating, recovering between games.”